martin



2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

A. J. MARTIN. Electric Lighting Apparatus. No. 232,357. Patented Sept. 21,1880.

N-PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHEFI, WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAM J. MARTIN, OF CATSKILL, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC-LIGHTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 232,357, dated September 21, 1880.

Application filed October 2, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ABRAM J MARTIN, of Catskill, in the county of Greene and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Lighting Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention is applicable for use in electric-li ghtin g apparatus of various kinds, but is shown as embodied in an apparatus or system in which the candle or illuminating device consists of a portion of an electric circuit having less conductivity than the remainder of the circuit, and which becomes heated to a point of incandescence by the resistance offered to the passage of the electric current.

In apparatus of this kind the candle or illuininatin g device has been liable to injury and often destroyed by the increased intensity of the current of electricity heating it to a point of fusion.

The object of one part of my invention is to provide a simple and effective means whereby the intensity of the current of electricity passing to the candle or illuminating device may be automatically regulated to prevent the candle or illuminating device from becoming everheated and to produce a steady light of uniform brilliancy.

The object of another partof my invention is to provide a simple and effective regulator for maintaining a closed circuit between the two severed portions of a main conductor while a branch conductor leading to a candle or illuminating deviceis severed, and for breaking said main circuit when the circuit through the said branch conductor is closed.

The object of another part of my invention is to provide for the use, in connection with the regulator last named, of an induction coil or coils, operated either by an auxiliary battery or a current of electricity diverted from the main conductor, for the purpose of augmen ting the supply of electricity and effecting an economy thereof.

The object of another part of my invention is to provide for automatically switching the return negative current from one or more candles or illuminating devices situated in a branch circuit to the positive conductor of the main circuit when an additional current has been established at a point beyond the said branch circuit, for the purpose of utilizing the entire current.

My invention consists in the combination, with the two severed portions of a main circuit or conductor for supplying a series of candles or illuminating devices and a needle-regulator for automatically establishing a'elosed circuit through said severed portions of the main conductor, of abranch circuit or conductor for containing one or more of such can dles or devices and a resistance-coil arranged in said main circuit, whereby, when a current is established through the branch circuit, an amount of electricity commensurate to the size of the light is diverted from the main circuit.

It also consists in the combination, with such main and branch conductors and magnetic-needle regulator, of an induction coil or coils, with or without a battery, for augmenting the current of electricity passing through said branch conductor, and a magnetic-needle regulator for establishing a circuit from said induction coil or coils and battery to the said branch circuit.

It also consists in the combination, with a main conductor for supplying a series of candles or illuminating devices, a main conductor for returning the negative current therefrom, and one or more branch circuits, each containing such a candle or device, of a regulator of novel construction for returning the negative current from said branch circuits to the main negative conductor. or switching the negative current from said branch circuits to the main positive conductor when a circuit is established beyond said regulator.

It also consists in various details and combinations of parts, hereinafter to be described.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figurel represents a plan of a candle or illuminating device and a horizontal section of a regulator embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 designates a vertical section of said candle and a side view of said regulator 5 and Fig. 3 represents a plan view, partly in horizontal section, of the other parts of my apparatus.

Similar letters of reference designate correspoudin g parts in all the figures.

My invention, although applicable to various kinds of candles or illuminating devices, such as voltaic-arc lights, is here shown as connected with an incandescent candle or lamp, in which A designates the light-giving portion, composed preferably of a platinum strip or wire. The portion A is of less conductivity than its supporting-rods A A and hence will become heated to a point of incandeseence by the resistance offered to the passage of the electric current through it. B designates a glass shade to preserve the candle or lamp from injury.

O designates a positive conductor, through which the electric current passes to the rod A, and O designates the negative conductor, through which the current passes from the candle or lamp through the rod A These conductors are connected to the bottoms of the supporting-rods A A as clearly represented in Fig. 2. In order to prevent the incandescent portion of the candle or lamp from.

becoming overheated by an undue increase in the intensity of the electric current, a regulator of novel construction is employed, consisting of a coil, D, of insulated wire, (here shown as horizontally arranged and held in a framework, D,) and a magnetic needle, D mounted upon a central pivot, to, from which it is insulated. A conductor, D connects the contactpoint I) in the switch-board D with one end of said coil, and the conductor 0 connects the other end of said coil with the candle or lamp.

D D designate the contact-points, which communicate, respectively, with the coil D, and, through a conductor, D', with the negative conductor 0, leading from the candle or lamp. From opposite sides of the needle D project arms 0, to which are connected springs d, and d designates screws supported in lugs projecting from the frame-work I), by which the resistance offered by said springs to the oscillation of the needle may be varied. A stop, 0, precludes undue movement of the needle D. In order that the needle D shall not be effected by polarity, I preferably arrange above it a second needle, D", and in such case the two needles are so arranged that each contracts the polar attraction of the other.

The contact-points b b in the switch-board D are connected by conductors E E with the positive conductor D and E designate resistance-coils arranged in said conductors. When the switch-key D is adjusted upon the contact-point b the circuit is closed, and the electric current received through the eonduc tor F from the source of supply passes through the conductor E, resistance-coils E E to the conductor D and thence, through the regulator-coil D, to the candle or lamp. When a stronger light is desired the switch-key D is shifted upon the contact-point b, and the current passes through the conductor E and resistance-coil E to the conductor D and thence through the regulator-coil D to the candle or lamp, the resistance-coil E in this case being cut out, making a shorter circuit. When a still stronger light is desired the switch-key is shifted upon the contact-point b and the current passes through the conductor D directly to the regulator-coil D, the resistancecoils E E being both out out, making a still shorter circuit.

hen the intensity of the electric current increases so as to endanger the safety of the candle or lamp the strength of the current passing through the regulator-coil D deflects the needle D in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, and brings the end of the needle against the two contact-points D D, whereupon a greater or less portion of the current is shortcireuited direct] y from the positive conductor D through the conductor D to the negative conductor 0, thereby cutting out the regulator-coil D and the candle or lamp.- As the strength of the current passing through the regulatorcoil decreases the needle swings back, breaking the circuit between the contactpoints D and D and permitting the passage of the undivided current through the regulator-coil and the candle or lamp.

The needle D will be continually oscillated by variations in the intensity of the electric current, however slight, and the light-giving portion of the candle or lamp can never become overheated.

In lieu of the resistance-coils E E carbon or any other known resistance devices may be employed.

If the needle D and its pivot to were in electric communication with the main circuit the contact-point D need only be used, and the current would be transmitted through the pivot and needle to the negative conductor.

Referring now to Fig. 3, F designates a branch positive conductor, extending from a binding-post, F, to a candle or lamp, and G designates a negative return conductor, returning to a binding-post, G.

In the positive main conductor H is located a resistance-coil, H, which is commensurate in size with the candle or lamp to which the branch conductor F is connected. WVhere a large light is required a large resistance-coil would be used, so as to divert or turn through the branch conductor F a considerable amount of the electric current, and when a small light is required the resistance-coil would be small, and nearly the whole of the main current would pass through it.

In order that the current of electricity shall not pass through the branch conductor F when the candle or lamp to which it connects is not lighted, I employ a regulator for returning the current at once to the main conductor H. This regulator consists of a horizontally-arranged coil, F of insulated wire, which is located in the line of the branch conductor F, so that a current of electricity passing through said conductor will also pass through said coil.

F designates a magnetic needle mounted on a pivot, f, from which it is properly insulated. An arm, f, extends from one side of the needle, to which is connected a spring, g,

IIO

and a screw, g, whereby the resistance offered by the spring to the free movement of the needle may be increased or diminished.

F designates a conductor extending from the binding-post F, and F designates a c011- ductor extending from the main positive conductor H to a point near the needle F Both the conductors F F terminate in contact-points h h near the needle F When the candle or lamp in the branch circuit F is lighted the current passing through the coil F will keep the needle F deflected sufficiently to keep it away from the two contact-points h It. On the other hand, when the candle or lamp in the said conductor F is not lighted the spring g will keep the needle against the contact-points, and the current will be passed through the conductor F to the positive main conductorH and on to the next candle or lamp.

In order to economize electricity I employ a regulator at each candle or lamp, or at each group of candles or lamps, for switching the negative current from said candles or lamps to the positive main conductor when candles or lamps are in use beyond the regulator, and for returning said negative current to the negative main conductor and back to the battery or other source of electricity when such distant candles are not in use. By this regulator the candle or lamp then in use which is most distant from the source of supply is the terminal point, and the negative current is then returned to the negative main conductor. This regulator consists of a'coil, H ofinsulated wire, situated in the positive main conductor H, and a magnetic needle, H arranged in said coil and mounted on a pivot, i, through which it is in electrical communication with the negative conductor I, leading from one or more candles or lamps.

H H designate two wires connected, the one to the negative main conductor G, and the other to the positive main conductor H beyond the regulator-coil H The needle H is also provided with a spring, j, and a screw, 7;, for regulating and adjusting its movement. The needle H plays between the ends of the wires H H, which are arranged opposite each other, and vibrates from one to the other. \Vhen no candles or lamps are in use beyond the regulator the needle is maintained by the spring-j in contact with the end of the wire H and the negative current received through the conductor I is transmitted to the negative main conductor Gr. When candles or lamps are in use beyond the regulator the intensity of the current passing through the coil H causes the needle H to be deflected against the strength of the spring j, so as to make contact with the end of the conductor H The negative current received from the conductor I is thus switched onto the positive main conductor H, and employed to augment the current passing through the same.

In order to'increase the strength of the elec tric current I may employ one or more induction-coils, like that represented at J, and this coil may be employed with or without an auxiliary battery, K.

When the auxiliary battery is employed the switch-keys l l are adjusted over the contactpoints m, and the auxiliary current passed through the conductors J and J to a point near the magnetic needle F". J 3 designates a conductor leading from such needle to the inner coil of the induction-coil J, thence through a diseharger, n, and conductors J J to the other switch-key, Z, and through the conductor J back to the battery.

Asbefore explained, when the candle or lamp is in use the needle F is not in contact with the points h h, but deflected against the action of the spring 9 by the intensity of the current passing through the coil F, and when said needle is deflected sufficiently far it makes contact with the ends of the conductors J J and the auxiliary current from the battery K through the inner coil of the induction-coil produced.

YVhen for any reason it is not desired or is impossible to use the battery K, the switchkeys I I may be adjusted over the contactpoints 0, and the auxiliary current, instead of passing from the battery K, will pass through the conductor J, from the positive main current H, and through the conductor J to the negative main current G.

l designates a conductor leading from the conductor 1 to the outer coil of the inductioncoil J, and 1' designates a conductor extend ing therefrom to a regulator-coil, 1 of insulated wire, arranged in a frame-work, I and terminating in a contact-point, l 1 designates another contact-point, from which extends the conductor 1 to join the positive branch conductor F, which extends up to and connects with the switch-key D.

L designates a magnetic needle mounted on a pivot, 19, and arranged in the coil 1". From this needle an arm, L, extends, carrying upon its outer end a contact-piece, p, adjust-ably secured thereto and insulated therefrom. To the needle L is connected a spring, (1, for controlling the oscillation of the needle, and a screw, 1', for adjusting the powerof said sprin hen the current is passing from the conductor I up through the coil 1, as in the usual operation of the apparatus, the contact-piece p is maintained in contact with the contact points 1 l and the current sent through the conductor I to the positive branch conductor F. If, however, the induction-coil J should cease to be operative, or the auxiliary battery should fail in its action when the inductioncoil derived its source of supply therefrom, or if the switches l I should be misplaced, the current, instead of passin g up ward through the coil 1 to the positive branch conductor, would pass backward therefrom and the light be extinguished. In order to prevent such an accident, however, the needle L is in electrical communication with the conductor 1 through a branch conductor, 1*, leading therefrom, and in case of such an accident the needle would be deflected against the force of the spring q, and the connection between the contact-points l 1 broken, thus preventing the escape of the current.

It will be understood, however, that a sufficient quantity of electricity must pass to actuate the needle L, and to effect this I have represented a coil of fine wire, M, arranged at the side of the regulator-coil l and connected therewith. The coil M is fully insulated, except at one point, 8, where the covering is removed, leaving the wires exposed.

In lieu of the resistance-coil of wire any rcsisting material may be used.

The needle L is represented as provided at one end with a device consisting of a wheel or roller, 2, which, when the needle is oscillated, passes over the exposed portion s of the finewire coil, and causes the current to pass through the conductor 1 the needle L, a portion of the resistance-coil M of fine wire, and through the main regulator-coil 1 When the needle is greatly deflected, bringing the wheel or roller 25 near the outer edge of the coil of fine wire, the resistance offered to the backward passage of the current is "cry great, and hence but little will pass.

In lieu of the wheel or roller if, any equivalent device might be employed; but the wheel or roller is preferable, as it creates but little friction.

It will thus be seen that the n eedleitsclf regulates the intensity of the current by which itis controlled.

In lieu of the magnetic-needle regulators here shown for returning the negative current from any lamp or group ot'lamps to the main negative conductor or switching it to the main positive conductor, any other kind of regulator might be employed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combii'iation, with the two severed portions of a main circuit or conductor for supplying a series of candles or illuminating devices and a magnetic-needle regulator for automatically establishing a current through the severed portions of said main conductor, of a branch circuit or conductor containing one or more ofsuch candles or devices and a resistancecoil arranged in themain circuit,whereby,when a current is established through the branch cir cuit or conductor, an amount of electricity commensurate to the size of the light is diverted from the main circuit, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a main conductor for supplying a series of candles or illuminating devices an d a branch conductor containing one of such candles or devices, of an induction coil or coils for augmcntin g the current passing through said branch conductor, an auxiliary.

battery for operating in conjunction with said induction coil or coils, and a magnetic-needle regulator for automatically establishing a cue rent from said induction coil or coils and auxiliary battery to the said branch circuit, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination, with a positive main conductor for supplying a series of candles or illuminating devices, a main conductor for returning the negativecurrent, and one or more branch conductors, each containing such a candle or device, of a magnetic needle or other regulator arranged in said positive main conductor for returning the negative current from said branch circuits to the negative main conductor, or switching the negative current from said branch circuits to the positive main conductor when a circuit is established beyond said regulator, substantially as specified.

4. The combination of the insulated regulator-coil I magnetic needle L, provided with an arm, L, and the adjustable contact-piecep,

. pivoted to said arm and insulated therefrom,

substantially as specified.

5. The combination, with a regulator conance arranged at the side of said regulatorcoil and connected therewith, the said resistance-coil being exposed at one point, and the said needle provided with adevice which, when said needle is deflected by a current passing through said regulator-coil, bears upon the eX- posed portion of the resistance-coil, permitting only a suflicient amount of electricity to operate said needle to pass through said regulatorcoil, substantially as specified.

6. The combination, with the regulator-coil I and the resistance-coil M, arranged at the side thereof and connected therewith, the said resistance-coil having a portion of its insulation removed, so as to leave a portion, 8, of the coil exposed, of the needle L, provided with the wheel or roller t, and adapted to be deflected by a current through the regulator-coil 1 substantially as specified.

ABRAM J. MARTIN.

Witnesses E. SIMMONS, G120. H. KNIGHT. 

